Bangladesh President Signs Controversial Digital Security Bill Into Law

FILE - Bangladesh President Md Abdul Hamid delivers a speech during a visit by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the presidential residence Bangabhaban in Dhaka on June 7, 2015.

Abdul Hamid, the president of Bangladesh has signed a bill into law that critics and media organizations say could curb free speech and cripple press freedom.

"The president has given his assent to the Digital Security Act today making it law," Joynal Abedin, the president's press secretary, said Monday.

The new law replaces a previous information technology law under which many editors and reporters have been sued.